-confessional to friends and relations-

It might have been better

for all concerned

had one of greater abilities

survived to tell our story.

but I was the one left standing

and frankly, at the time,

I didn’t think I was paying

that much attention.

I’m often reminded of the fact

that I’m not a professional —

that I’m un-certified. I'm told

by those in the know

that my credentials are weak.

but I understand

that nothing elevates us

because of something accomplished

or absolves us from what
we might have laid-waste.

I've not become our priest.

    (although I do remember briefly
     accusing us of committing

     a number of venial sins,—

     but that was simply

     to authenticate our poetry.)

what I'm saying is

you might have done better

with someone else —
and of the suggestion that if I didn't do it

one of you would have, well,

the evidence preserved for us

implies that this would have been

improbable at best.

geography is widening its distance
as is the history between us
in the world we once occupied.

our names, for better our worse.

the positions once held by us are dissolvable, but recorded,
and there is no singular name to be held accountable,
nor cursed nor romanced from the blessed community, but mine.